Posted 2014-02-12 4:33 PM (#151279 - in reply to #150898) Subject: Re: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Visionary
Posts: 1228 Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Radiantz,
I notice the rears do not have a reflective backround behind the LEDs. Would there be any reason I couldn't add retro-reflective stickers between the LEDs to make it more in-line with DOT requirements?
Posted 2014-02-26 5:04 AM (#151732 - in reply to #150898) Subject: Re: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Cruiser
Posts: 281
I've been in the process of doing the DIY tail light mod on my 2008 Vision and have come to find that the flasher unit is NOT plug and play. The 2008s use a different size plug for the stock flasher unit that does not work with the MBW unit. That being said, they are working with me on a fix. I'll keep you posted on the results.
Posted 2014-03-02 3:33 PM (#151859 - in reply to #150898) Subject: RE: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Visionary
Posts: 1228 Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Got the rears installed over the weekend. It's like having a new bike all over. I don't know how many times I've walked out to the garage just to turn the lights on and look at them.
In the box -
Very well packaged. Looks like something you would buy in a glass case at the dealer.
It even came with a key fob, drink koozy and kickstand rest.
The connections look just like a 3157 bulb, except there are only two per side.
The only thing I have done that is different, was to add retro-reflective tape in between the LEDs.
I contacted MBW prior and they said that was fine as long as they weren't metal, which could possibly short it out.
I checked with an ohm meter to make sure they were non-conductive, and as an added measure, did not get close to any contact points.
You can see the difference, and that is just my phones LED flash.
DOT requires all vehicles have a red reflective surface to the rear. Most vehicles it is built into the tail-lights. Euro-style have the reflectors on the bumpers.
Our lenses were originally somewhat reflective, but they also had a reflector mounted to the license plate frame.
I took off the license plate frame reflector, and now don't have the lens mirrors reflecting back headlights either, so I felt this was a good solution.
I'm not going to add any pic or video of the lens splitting. The ones on here a great already.
I did take about an hour splitting them, by heating them up in the oven @ <200 and using wd40, repeating the process whenever they cooled down.
A torx wrench worked the best for getting the old silicone out of the channels, along with more heat.
The install took a little longer than normal than average. I was already running LEDs along with a "Back-Off" brakelight controller. This and all the load equalizers had to come off. The new blinker controller replaces the OEM one under the radio panel.
Just unplug the old, and plug in the new. A least there was no problem with the 2010 version.
Once installed, the bike looks like it was designed to be that way. I really like the way the running lights outline the lenses. Not too bright or overbearing, but very noticeable.
Programming the lights is straight-forward, but tedious. Each light gets programmed separate and matching the programs takes time. The programming mode rotates thru each style showing the pattern once. Some of the patterns look similar when only seen once, so it's best to find a unique pattern, then count off the patterns till the one you want. I recommend setting the speed first with an easy pattern, then change to the pattern you want.
Easiest way to check that your speeds are the same is to use the hazards after your out of the program mode. If they stay together, you're good. I did notice that they will glitch after a while causing one to reset and mess up the sequencing.
The brake patterns are very stunning, the video does not do it justice, especially the strobe mode. You can easily be mistaken for a LEO. The only thing I wish they would have done, would have been to let you set the number of strobes before it went solid. Three times seems to be way to many. Once for the strobe, or twice for the off/on would have been perfect.
The turn signal module controls the speed just fine with all my old load managers gone. Even if you don't buy MBW LEDs, get the turn signal module if your using other LEDs in place of the incandescent bulbs.
I will try and get some video up when it stops raining. I have not checked the cruise control yet or if the new blinker module has the same canceling features. I will let you know if any of this is abnormal.
Posted 2014-03-04 4:05 PM (#151957 - in reply to #151935) Subject: Re: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Iron Butt
Posts: 1066 Peru, IN
Maverick - 2014-03-04 6:02 AM Arkainzeye - 2014-03-02 8:15 PM i like everything about those lights, Except.......... the "edging part" of the tail light when the brake is not applied.. +1 Can you get the lights without the "edging part" that is a deal killer for me......
Posted 2014-03-09 10:25 PM (#152114 - in reply to #151957) Subject: Re: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Visionary
Posts: 3773 Pittsburgh, PA
Monkeyman - 2014-03-04 4:05 PM
Maverick - 2014-03-04 6:02 AM Arkainzeye - 2014-03-02 8:15 PM i like everything about those lights, Except.......... the "edging part" of the tail light when the brake is not applied.. +1 Can you get the lights without the "edging part" that is a deal killer for me......
?
Those are the running lights.
then i guess the running lights i do Not like.. "appears" to be thin and Anemic. now the brake lights I love!
Posted 2014-03-24 7:29 PM (#153647 - in reply to #152114) Subject: Re: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Cruiser
Posts: 79 Louisville, KY
Has anyone tried the tinted lenses with the LEDs? Also has anyone had any problems with their MBW led kits yet?
I had the vision mod sequencers and I like the look but they keep dying on me really thinking about the mbw setup but with tinted lenses. I've had all of the squencers quit at least once and just hate to jump on the mbw units until they have been out awhile.
Posted 2014-03-30 5:25 AM (#153839 - in reply to #151732) Subject: Re: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Puddle Jumper
Posts: 11
Double Vision
Any resolution on the flasher module connection for the 2008? I just purchased a front/back set from MBW and saw your post on the flasher module not being a " plug and play" with the stock module connector.
Posted 2014-04-16 2:40 PM (#154316 - in reply to #150898) Subject: Re: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Cruiser
Posts: 60
For the 2008 VV you do not need to order the flasher unit! I questioned MBW about that as I also seen the discussion and was informed that the flasher unit in the '08 is better and does not need to be changed. All that is required is the lights. The instructions provided in the box are very detailed and I had no problem with this DIY kit.
Just finished the mod on my bike and the lights are fantastic. None of the videos do the lights justice, they really need to be seen in person.
Posted 2014-04-17 6:40 PM (#154341 - in reply to #150898) Subject: Re: MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
Tourer
Posts: 390
Just finished installing my DIY set. Glad I went this way. Now I know my Vision more intimately . The front is more involved because there are more parts to remove to get the housings off. The rears were a piece of cake by comparison. A good selection of exacto blades is helpfull . There is one shaped like a putty knife that was very usefull for separating the housings.
As stated earlier they are more impressive live than on video.
Edited by chesshiretuna 2014-04-17 6:43 PM
Jump to page : 1234 Now viewing page 3 [25 messages per page]
MBW LED Front & Rear Lights in Production
